Forgotten Newcastle United man makes surprise return as Eddie Howe gets defender boost

Harrison Ashby is making his Newcastle United debut this week, but for the Under 21s.

The defender joined the club from West Ham during the Winter transfer window for a reported £3 million but has yet to make it into the senior matchday squad.

Notably, Ashby missed a few weeks of training shortly after his arrival due to a hamstring injury, but he did travel with the first team to Dubai in March for the warm-weather camp.

After signing him in Janurary, Eddie Howe said: “Harrison has come to us in a good place, again he’s trained really well and he’s one we’ll work with behind the scenes.

“He needs to improve certain things in terms of his fitness because I don’t think he’s played a huge amount of football in the last few months but we certainly like him a lot.”

Significantly, 29-year-old Ryan Fraser is also in the starting lineup for the U21s after reportedly clashing with Eddie Howe and subsequently being frozen out of the first team.

The winger had previously worked under Howe at Bournmouth and made 27 starts last season. This season he has only made eight- and none since October.

In March he was moved to train with the youngsters and Howe told the press: “I made the decision to concentrate on the players that are committed to Newcastle and for the benefit of the group I made that call.”

Fraser still has two years left on his contract with the club.

The pair will play against Norwich City today at 1pm at Little Benton Academy.

Get the latest Newcastle United headlines with our free football newsletter! Follow the action from St James’ Park and beyond as we bring the sport news to you. Visit our website here to sign up.